OKLAHOMA CITY — After acquiring Peja Stojakovic to start at shooting guard, the New Orleans Hornets traded guard Kirk Snyder to the Houston Rockets yesterday for cash and a conditional second-round draft pick in 2008.

Snyder started 40 consecutive games in the Hornets' backcourt last season and averaged 8.0 points and 2.4 rebounds. Coach Byron Scott has said the 6-foot-10 Stojakovic, who agreed to a five-year, $64 million contract with the Hornets on Wednesday, will likely start at shooting guard.

"Kirk is a talented player, and I think the abilities and athleticism he possesses will make him a good fit for the Rockets," Scott said.

The Hornets also finalized a trade yesterday, sending veteran forward P.J. Brown and guard J.R. Smith to Chicago for center Tyson Chandler.

The two moves leave New Orleans temporarily without any reserves in the backcourt. Free agent Bobby Jackson has agreed to terms with the Hornets, although the deal hasn't been finalized, and Hornets general manager Jeff Bower said the Hornets had also agreed to terms with 6-foot-7 swingman Rasual Butler, their top 3-point shooter from last season.

"We have reached an agreement with Rasual that will get him signed sometime next week, and that was a factor in making this trade as well," Bower said.

In the past 10 days, the Hornets have also waived guards Arvydas Macijauskas and Moochie Norris.

Bower said the Hornets expect Jackson to be the backup at both guard positions while Butler will be able to come off the bench at shooting guard and small forward. He said New Orleans will also look into signing another backup at point guard.

"Between any of those combinations, actually we think we've got a nice tight rotation where roles can be clearly defined and players really have an understanding of what they need to do to live up to the expectations levels," Bower said. "I think we've got a real nice rotation with all those players."

The addition of Chandler gives New Orleans a stable of young players in the frontcourt. They already had added forward Cedric Simmons and center Hilton Armstrong in the first round of the draft, and Chandler gives them another player in that defense-first mold.